These Women's March Controversies Plagued Last Year's Protest, So Here's What They're Doing To Fix It

Last January, millions of people marched in Washington, D.C. and cities around the globe to protest the inauguration of President Donald Trump and his regressive politics. This weekend, millions of activists will once again hit the streets to both commemorate the first anniversary of the Women's March and launch a year-long voter registration and mobilization campaign. But the global protest was not without its issues, which begs the question: Will organizers do anything to address the Women's March controversies of last year in their 2018 platform? The answer: In some cases.

This year's main march will see a change of venue. Instead of the nation's capitol, organizers will hold the 2018 Women's March in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sunday, Jan. 21, a year to the date of the inaugural protests. The anniversary protest in the City of Lights will kick off #PowerToThePolls, a year-long initiative that aims to secure progressive seats in 2018, particularly in vulnerable swing states. There are also 673 satellite protests planned around the globe, according to the Women's March website.

But activists shouldn't expect the same Women's March this time around — and that's a good thing. The organizers have worked to fix some of the problems that plagued last year's event. Here's how.

Excluding The Transgender Population With Sex-Based Language

But it's not only the pink cat hats that pushed transgender women and gender non-binary people to the margins of the Women's March. As Mic explained last year, genital-based language also shut out transgender and gender non-binary people. Think of sign phrases like "Pussy Power," "This Pussy is Not Your Property," "Viva la Vulva," and "Pussy Grabs Back," according to Mic. A number of people at the women's march also dressed up like vulvas.

Trump's inauguration had lit a fire in millions of people across the globe, and the events of the last 365 days have only fanned those flames. Let's hope that this year's protest isn't marred by controversy — and is a far better version of itself.